What Is Mushroom Extract AHCC?

How Does AHCC Help Immunity?

In both human and animal studies, AHCC has been shown to activate and enhance immune cells in the body, including types of white blood cells called NK (natural killer) cells and NKT (natural killer T) cells. These cells are part of the body's innate defense mechanism, which immediately launches attacks against viral threats. Enhanced NK cell response has also been linked to the ability to clear infections more quickly.

Is AHCC Effective Against the Coronavirus?

While it has not yet been evaluated for COVID-19, AHCC has shown to have protective effects against infectious diseases, including H1N1 influenza, H5N1 avian (bird) flu, and West Nile virus.

Testing AHCC Against Infectious Diseases

Swine Flu (Influenza A virus subtype H1N1)

In one study, mice supplemented with AHCC showed increased survival against H1N1. The mice were able to maintain body weight as opposed to controls, which indicates less severe infections. AHCC enhanced NK cell activity in the lungs and shortened recovery time.

West Nile Virus

In a 2009 study, mice were infected with what should have been a lethal dose of West Nile virus. One group received AHCC at various intervals before and after being infected. The survival rate of mice treated with AHCC was more than twice that of the controls. AHCC also increased the number of antibodies to that virus in the blood.

Bird Flu (Influenza A virus subtype H5N1)

In another study, mice were infected with the flu virus after receiving the H5N1 vaccine. Eighty percent of the vaccinated mice survived; 100 percent of the mice that also received AHCC lived.

In another study, mice were infected with 100 times the 50 percent lethal dose of the avian flu. All the control mice that did not receive AHCC died within 12 days. Thirty percent of the group given AHCC before infection were alive at 28 days.

Seasonal Flu

In one human study, people received the seasonal flu vaccine. Some of the group also received 3 grams of AHCC daily for several weeks. Blood samples showed that those who received AHCC in addition to the vaccine showed significantly improved numbers of NK cells and T cells. The increase in cells was most notable in people over 60.